It’s been almost one year since Russia invaded Ukraine and the war began. Millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and required urgent humanitarian assistance.

Presbyterians from across Canada have responded generously to the need, allowing PWS&D to get financial support out the door very quickly. As of October 2022, over $772,000 has been given to support those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

PWS&D, through the ACT Alliance, has provided support to Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA)—assisting those displaced within Ukraine, as well as those who had fled to Hungary. Refugees and those internally displaced received food and shelter support, as well as cash assistance and emergency mental health and psychological care.

Additionally, PWS&D provided food assistance in the form of cash transfers to families in Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, through Canadian Foodgrains Bank member ADRA Canada, allowing donations to be matched 4:1. With priority given to the most vulnerable households, including women and single-headed households, children at risk, and gender-based violence survivors, families are able to use cash assistance to purchase food and other essential items.

Olha’s Story 

The assistance has been crucial for families like Olha Fomenko and her husband, who are trying to carry on with their humanitarian work in a Russian-occupied area of southern Ukraine. The couple takes care of people whom Olha shares “have been abandoned even by their very own family.” They provide shelter, food and clothing.

The war has made it difficult to continue their work. Worried, Olha turned to HIA for help and she received an aid package to help her care for those in need. Olha still worries about what tomorrow will bring, but she takes comfort in knowing she has support from HIA.

Recently, PWS&D initiated support to farmers through the Reformed Church in Transcapathia. Farmers will receive fertilizer that they are unable to afford, which will enable them to grow crops this coming year. This collaboration is possible with the organizing support of former PCC mission staff, David Pandy-Szekeres.

As the war continues, need remains high. PWS&D continues to work through local partners and ecumenical networks and coalitions to respond. Thank you for your generous support!